Hamm, Thomas Named Preseason First Team All-America

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke women's lacrosse redshirt senior Emma Hamm and senior Kat Thomas both earned first team Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Yearbook Preseason All-America recognition as announced by the organization.

The Blue Devils placed four players in total on the lists with senior Kim Wenger and sophomore Molly Quirke garnering second team and third team honors, respectively. Duke was one of just three teams to have multiple players named to the first team and one of four programs to have four or more total selections

Hamm, a native of Wayne, Pa., became the fifth Tewaaraton Trophy finalist in Duke women's lacrosse history after setting career highs in goals (51), assists (25), points (76) and draw controls (71) last season. Duke's season leader in goals and draw controls, Hamm posted three or more goals in 11 games and had eight games with at least five points a season ago, earning first team IWLCA All-America, first team IWLCA All-Region, All-ACC and All-NCAA Tournament honors for her efforts. A three-year starter for the Blue Devils, she holds the program record with 176 career draw controls and ranks second in the record books with 65 career assists. For her career, Hamm has played in and started 62 games, posting 98 goals and 65 assists for 163 points and ranks 12^th in the Duke record books for career points and 14^th in goals.

Thomas, a midfielder from Latham, N.Y., registered a career-high 45 goals in 2011, trailing only Hamm on the Duke squad, to earn first team IWLCA All-America accolades. For the season, Thomas totaled nine games with three or more goals, garnering ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors on two occasions. Over three years in Durham, she has totaled 104 goals and 149 draw controls, twice earning All-ACC and All-South distinction. Thomas ranks 13^th in Duke history in career goals and sits in fourth place in career draw controls in the Blue Devil records.

Following a career year in 2011, Malvern, Pa., native Wenger was awarded second team IWLCA All-America distinction in addition to All-South Region and All-ACC honors after ranking second on the team in assists (21), second in caused turnovers (20), fourth in draw controls (31) and fourth in points (39). She was also one of only two players in the conference to earn both ACC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week accolades last season. For her career, Wenger has played in 61 games, totaling 34 goals and 26 assists for 60 points.

Quirke was the only Duke freshman to start every game in 2011, totaling 17 points on 14 goals and three assists. The Wilmette, Ill., native also recorded 22 ground balls, 14 caused turnovers and 12 draw controls as an integral part of the Duke midfield, while also adding three multi-goal games.

Duke will open the 2012 campaign Saturday, Feb. 4, playing host to Bucknell at 1 p.m., from Koskinen Stadium.

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